| One in every 150 children are diagnosed with | | | | Three: Get Help |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder. With this ratio, you're | | | | Find any resources you can to help your family |
| sure to know of at least one family affected by | | | | and your child. Many communities have programs |
| this diagnosis. You may have just discovered that | | | | or organizations to help those with special needs. |
| your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Because | | | | Find some such organization nearby. Enlist the help |
| the disorder is on a spectrum, your child may be | | | | of your friends and family. Some of them may |
| considered High Functioning, or Profoundly Autistic | | | | know of other families struggling with this new |
| or anywhere in between. Regardless of the | | | | diagnosis as well. Turn to your church or |
| severity of your child's Autism, it can be a | | | | synagogue for spiritual aid. Research, research, |
| devastating life-changing diagnosis. In other | | | | research. Your local library or bookstores and of |
| families, the diagnosis may come as a great relief | | | | course, the Internet, will all have good information |
| after years of struggling to understand why their | | | | for you. |
| child is so different. Wherever you fall on the | | | | Four: Do Not Blame Yourself |
| spectrum, here is a list of things to do when you | | | | Vaccination controversy aside, this is not your |
| are met with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum | | | | fault. Regardless of how or why your child |
| Disorder. | | | | received this disorder, there is no way to put |
| One: Take a Deep Breath | | | | blame on yourself, your doctor, or anyone else. |
| You may be reeling right now. Perhaps you have | | | | The fact that you are reading this article proves |
| suspected or feared it, or maybe you have | | | | that you love and care for your child, no matter |
| known something was not quite right with your | | | | what. Set aside the feelings of guilt and the what |
| child. But now you have a reason, and things can | | | | ifs. Many families of children with Autism have |
| only improve from here on out. Now is a time to | | | | discovered the beautiful spirit inside their child's |
| sit back and reflect. Spend some time with your | | | | difficult Autism shell. You will too. You will continue |
| child at a park or somewhere where they are | | | | to do what you have done since your child was |
| comfortable and happy. Just enjoy watching your | | | | born: love and care for her and give her |
| child, and think about how you got to this place. | | | | whatever is best. |
| You have a diagnosis, so you can take a break | | | | Five: Begin Anew |
| from the medical community, if only for a few | | | | Let's face it, your original plans and dreams for |
| days. There is value in taking a deep breath and | | | | your child have most likely changed. This is |
| re-orienting yourself. | | | | definitely a loss to mourn. You will probably always |
| Two: Make a Plan | | | | wonder what things could have been like if your |
| You will want the help of your doctor, a mentor, | | | | child had developed normally. That is okay. You |
| or a local Autism Support group with this. A | | | | might even want to set aside time each week |
| diagnosis is a starting place. Now you have at | | | | for a good cry and pity party. But now that you |
| least one explanation for your child's mysterious | | | | are at a new starting place, it's time to reorganize |
| behavior. The next step is to make a plan of | | | | your thoughts and make some new dreams. Pick |
| action for you, your child, and your family. What | | | | yourself up, dust yourself off, and find that silver |
| will you to do to support your child's education? | | | | lining. Your child with Autism is still a unique and |
| What kind of a schedule will your family need? | | | | beautiful creature that you and your spouse |
| What can your family do to support one another? | | | | made together. He or she has special gifts and |
| You may want to set aside a night to get | | | | abilities too. Your life's work may be to find those |
| together and talk about this new situation. Goal | | | | abilities and bring them to fruition. |
| setting gives you focus and something to work | | | | Your life will be forever different. Hopefully these |
| toward. It also helps you to see progress and | | | | steps will help you adjust. You have this particular |
| improvement. | | | | child for a reason. You can do it. |